This test helps your physician determine if there are blockages, narrowing or aneurysm (an enlargement or a “bulge”) in your aorta, which is a large artery in your abdomen. Ultrasound is used to obtain images of the aorta and the blood flow within. The test is noninvasive and should cause no significant discomfort.

Prior to your appointment, be certain to ask your primary care doctor whether your abdominal ultrasound will take place in the Minneapolis Heart Institute clinic, or in Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Special Diagnostics department. Both are located on the second floor of Abbott Northwestern’s Heart Hospital. When you get to the Abbott Northwestern campus, you should report to the Cardiovascular Family Care Center on the second floor of the Heart Hospital. (Choose from the following links to view maps and directions or a campus guide.) You should not eat or drink anything except non-carbonated water for 8 to 12 hours prior to the test. You may take your usual medications on the day of the test, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

For this test you will be asked to lie quietly on an examination table while the technologist moves an instrument called a transducer over your abdomen. To obtain clear images of your blood vessels the technologist may apply moderate pressure to your abdomen. During the Doppler portion of the exam you will be able to hear your blood flow and your heartbeat. The resulting images are recorded and stored in your record. The test takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

After the procedure you may leave without restrictions. There are no known risks from the use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis.

Other tests for this sub-specialty

• Carotid Artery Ultrasound 
• Peripheral Arterial Evaluation 
• Peripheral Venous Evaluation